Walkway systems for locomotives

ABSTRACT

A walkway system for adaptation to a pre-existing base structure of a locomotive car body is disclosed. The walkway system includes a first side panel, a second side panel, a base section, and a cover panel. The base section is structured and arranged to overlay the pre-existing walkway of the locomotive car body and is connected to the first side panel and the second side panel. The first side panel, the second side panel, and the base section define at least one passageway. The cover panel is structured and arranged to removably engage with the first and second side panels. The cover panel encloses the passageway when the cover panel is engaged with the first and second side panels. The passageway is accessible when the cover panel is selectively removed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to walkway systems for locomotives. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a walkway system for adaptation to a pre-existing base structure of a locomotive car body that routes electrical wires associated with the locomotive.

BACKGROUND

Locomotives are commonly known to employ a number of electrical units that are inter-connected via electrical wires and linings. Such electrical units may include, but are not limited to, electric fans, battery units, data acquisition systems, air compressors, and fluid pumps. Some of these electrical units are installed towards the frontal end of a locomotive car body, while some electrical units are installed towards the rear end of the locomotive car body. Generally, the electrical wires extend at least partially along the length of the locomotive car body, to establish an electrical connection between the electrical units at the frontal end and the electrical units at the rear end. Such electrical wires are routed through different portions of the locomotive car body to provide uninterrupted operations of the electrical units.

Conventionally, wire routing mounts are installed on the locomotive car body, to route the electrical wires. Such wire routing mounts are generally mounted over a floor of the locomotive car body. However, by routing the electrical wires through the wire routing mounts mounted on the floor, considerable space on the floor needs to be dedicated to the passage of the electrical wires. Accordingly, a substantial degree of floor space remains ineffectively utilized. Moreover, as conventional wire routing mounts are generally installed on the floor of the locomotive car body, it may be cumbersome for an operator to access the electrical wires at time of service. This is because the floor may accommodate additional units and devices, which may need to be shifted and toggled to provide access to the electrical wires. Similarly, it is well known to route the electrical wires through others structures of the locomotive car body. However, it remains pertinent to deploy such electrical wiring in a space efficient manner.

United States Patent Application 20120102846 is directed towards an appliance mount for a rail vehicle. The appliance mount is installed along a roof portion of the rail vehicle and is adapted to route the electrical components (or electrical wires). However, the appliance mount for the locomotive car body causes space utilization issues, as the roof of a locomotive car body commonly accommodates a number of auxiliary units that are required for varied applications of the locomotive car body. In such arrangements, during service of the locomotive, it may still be cumbersome for the operator to access the appliance mount.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of the present disclosure illustrate a walkway system for adaptation to a pre-existing base structure of a locomotive car body. The walkway system includes a first side panel, a second side panel, a base section, and a cover panel. The base section is structured and arranged to overlay the pre-existing base structure of the locomotive car body. The base section is connected to the first side panel and the second side panel. The first side panel, the second side panel, and the base section define at least one passageway. The cover panel is structured and arranged to removably engage with the first side panel and the second side panel. The passageway is enclosed by the cover panel when the cover panel is engaged with the first side panel and the second side panel. Moreover, the passageway is accessible when the cover panel is selectively removed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary locomotive, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the locomotive of FIG. 1 taken along a section A-A′, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a first embodiment of the walkway system of FIG. 2 with the cover panel in a deployed state;

FIG. 4 is a partial isometric view of the walkway system of FIG. 2 with a cover panel of the walkway system being in an partially removed state; and

FIG. 5 is a rear view of a second embodiment of the walkway system of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary locomotive 10. The locomotive 10 generally includes a main frame 12, a locomotive car body 14, a traction motor compartment 16, a pre-existing base structure 18, and a walkway system 20. The locomotive car body 14 has a closed compartment structure, which is structured and arranged on the main frame 12. The locomotive car body 14 extends longitudinally between a frontal end 22 and a rear end 24 of the main frame 12. The locomotive car body 14 includes a first electrical unit 26 and a second electrical unit 28. The first electrical unit 26 may be a high voltage cabinet, defined proximal to the frontal end 22 of the main frame 12. The second electrical unit 28 may be an electrical appliances cabinet, defined proximal to the rear end 24 of the main frame 12. The first electrical unit 26 and the second electrical unit 28 are generally electrically connected via electrical wires 30 (FIG. 2) that extend along a length, L of the locomotive 10, to facilitate the electrical connection.

The pre-existing base structure 18 is a flat platform mounted on the main frame 12 of the locomotive 10, adjacent to a first side 32 of the locomotive car body 14. The pre-existing base structure 18 provides a mounting base for the walkway system 20. The walkway system 20 is mounted on the pre-existing base structure 18 and is defined adjacent to the first side 32 of the locomotive car body 14. The walkway system 20 includes a platform 34, which facilitates an operator to stand on the platform 34 and move from one portion of the locomotive 10 to another portion of the locomotive 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an exemplary rear view of the locomotive 10 of FIG. 1, along the section A-A′. The walkway system 20 of the locomotive car body 14 is also shown. The walkway system 20 may be a rectangular shaped structure that facilitates routing of the electrical wires 30 that electrically connects the first electrical unit 26 and the second electrical unit 28. The electrical wires 30 extend along the length, L, of the locomotive 10 and are routed through the walkway system 20. Although, the present disclosure contemplates the pre-existing base structure 18 and the walkway system 20 structured on the first side 32 of the locomotive car body 14, an auxiliary pre-existing base structure 36 and an auxiliary walkway system 38 is structured on the second side 40, as well. In an embodiment, the auxiliary walkway system 38 is adapted to facilitate ducting of cooling air to the traction motor compartment 16 (FIG. 1) of the locomotive 10. Although, the present disclosure contemplates routing and management of electrical wires 30 through the walkway system 20, it may also happen that the walkway system 20 is being utilized to route and manage fluid conduits or similar such components.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of the walkway system 20 is shown. For ease in understanding and clarity purposes, routing and arrangement of a singular electrical wire 30 through the walkway system 20 is depicted. Similar routing and arrangement of multiple other electrical wires 30 through the walkway system 20, may also be contemplated. As illustrated, the walkway system 20 has a rectangular cross-section, which is uniformly structured along the length, L, or an expanse of the walkway system 20. However, a cross-section of the walkway system 20 may vary and may depend on multiple factors, such as a position or shape of the pre-existing base structure 18 and a position of the first electrical unit 26 (FIG. 1) and the second electrical unit 28. Accordingly, this aspect need not be seen as limiting in any way. The walkway system 20 includes a base section 42, a first side panel 44, a second side panel 46, and a cover panel 48.

The base section 42 is structured and arranged to overlay the pre-existing base structure 18. The base section 42 includes a first side portion 50 and a second side portion 52. The first side panel 44 is attached to the first side portion 50 of the base section 42 and extends in a vertical direction relative to the base section 42. The first side panel 44 includes a connection port 54, adjacent to the second electrical unit 28 of the locomotive car body 14. Similarly, an auxiliary connection port (not shown) adjacent to the first electrical unit 26, may also be provided. The second side panel 46 is attached to the second side portion 52 of the base section 42 and extends in a vertical direction relative to the base section 42. At least one passageway 56 is defined between the base section 42, the first side panel 44, and the second side panel 46, of the walkway system 20. In deployment, the electrical wire 30 is positioned and routed through the passageway 56 of the walkway system 20. Notably, one end of the electrical wires 30 pass through the connection port 54, to electrically connect to the second electrical unit 28. Similarly, another end of the electrical wire 30 pass through the auxiliary connection port (not shown), to electrically connect to the first electrical unit 26. However, similar to a routing of the electrical wire 30, multiple wires can be routed through the connection port 54.

The cover panel 48 is removably engages with each of the first side panel 44 and the second side panel 46. Although the present disclosure contemplates slidable engagement of the cover panel 48 with the first side panel 44 and the second side panel 46, various other engagements, may also be contemplated. The cover panel 48 defines the platform 34 that facilitates the operator to stand and traverse on the walkway system 20, allowing operator movement from the frontal end 22 to the rear end 24. In a deployed state, as shown in FIG. 3, the cover panel 48 engages with each of the first side panel 44 and the second side panel 46. In so doing, the cover panel 48 encloses the passageway 56. A removal of the cover panel 48 facilitates an access to the electrical wires 30.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown the walkway system 20 of FIG. 3 with the cover panel 48 partially removed from the walkway system 20. When the cover panel 48 is removed from the walkway system 20, the passageway 56 of the walkway system 20 is exposed to external environments. This facilitates the operator to access the electrical wire 30 positioned and routed within the walkway system 20.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown an alternate embodiment of a walkway system 20′ of the locomotive 10. The walkway system 20′ includes one or more vertical divisions 58, which are attached to the base section 42 of the walkway system 20′. In this embodiment, the walkway system 20′ includes two vertical divisions 58 attached to the base section 42. Therefore, the walkway system 20 defines three passageways 60, 62, 64 within the walkway system 20′. Each of the three passageways 60, 62, 64 may route different types of electrical wires, associated with the locomotive 10. For example, a first passageway 60, may route a 6-watt electrical wire 30, as shown in FIG. 5.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

During operation, the locomotive 10 employs the walkway system 20, 20′ to execute dual functions. First, the walkway system 20, 20′ allows an operator to stand on the walkway system 20, 20′ and traverse from the frontal end 22 to the rear end 24, and vice versa. Second, the walkway system 20, 20′ facilitates routing and management of the electrical wires 30, to enable an electrical connection between the first electrical unit 26 and the second electrical unit 28.

In application, the electrical wires 30 are prewired in the passageways 56, 60, 62, 64 of the walkway system 20, 20′, to enable said connection between the first electrical unit 26 and the second electrical unit 28. More particularly, one end of the electrical wires 30 may pass through the auxiliary connection port (not shown) of the walkway system 20, 20′ and connect to the first electrical unit 26, while the another end of the electrical wires 30 exits through the connection port 54 to connect with the second electrical unit 28. As the walkway system 20, 20′ facilitates these dual functions, a space within the locomotive car body 14 is considerably efficiently utilized.

Furthermore, during service and repair of the locomotive 10, access to the electrical wires 30 may be required. In such a situation, an operator slideably removes the cover panel 48 of the walkway system 20, 20′, along a length, L of the locomotive 10. This allows an access to the passageways 56, 60, 62, 64, and in turn, to the electrical wires 30. Such an access to the electrical wires 30 is relatively easier compared to when the electrical wires 30 are laid through a floor or a roof of the locomotive 10. Therefore, the electrical wires 30 may be serviced or replaced without the need to physically enter the locomotive 10 or disassemble any pre-existing units. Moreover, such a provision facilitates an operator to service the locomotive 10, from an external environment of the locomotive 10, thus reducing service cost and effort.

It should be understood that the above description is intended for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other aspects of the disclosure may be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A walkway system for adaptation to a pre-existing base structure of a locomotive car body, the walkway system comprising: a first side panel; a second side panel; a base section structured and arranged to overlay the pre-existing base structure of the locomotive car body, the base section being connected with the first side panel and the second side panel, wherein the first side panel, the second side panel and the base section defines at least one passageway therein; and a cover panel structured and arranged to removably engage with the first side panel and the second side panel, wherein the at least one passageway being enclosed by the cover panel when the cover panel being engaged with the first side panel and the second side panel, wherein the at least one passageway being accessible when the cover panel is selectively removed. 